"...A man shall leave his father and mother and the two shall become one flesh..." - Mark 10:7-8

CAN YOUR MARRIAGE LAST? ABSOLUTELY!

January 27, 2018

One of the questions I am often asked is, “Is there really a key to keeping a marriage intact?” Well, there are several references to having a happy marriage in the Bible, but there is one key verse that is found only once in the Old Testament and twice in the New Testament. The theme is clear: We are to leave, cleave, and weave.

Leave – A man shall leave his mother and father. This is about prioritizing our spouse over parents, children, siblings, and friends. Our spouse should be our best friend. If you are married, and closer to any person other than your spouse, your priorities are out of whack.

Cleave – Cleave to his wife. The word “cleave” means to join fast together, to glue, or cement. These definitions imply there will always be pressures to pull the marriage apart. (Things like busyness, work, demands from children, money, health problems, infidelity, and so on). In short, marriage is about a lifetime commitment.

Weave – The two shall become one flesh. Sexual intimacy and fulfillment is a by-product of a healthy marriage relationship. It symbolizes how a husband and wife become one.

Leave. Cleave. Weave. Three crucial components for a lasting marriage.